Why a facial?

Facials are more than a pricey way to pamper your skin. They can help you stay current on the condition and needs of your skin. The Good Spa Guide, an online spa resource, identifies several other benefits. Facials can:

• Cleanse: Eliminate dead skin and deep-clean pores.

• Balance: Even out skin tone while improving overall texture and look.

• Moisturize: Provide dry skin with deep hydration.

• Tighten and brighten: Leave skin looking firmer and refreshed.

What to know before you go

Whether it’s for pampering prior to a special event or treating a special skin condition, do your homework before scheduling a facial. Here are some tips:

• Check out the place and practitioner: When first choosing a spa, ask friends, family and co-workers for a recommendation. Ask ahead of time about the specialist’s credentials and experience. Call the appropriate licensing agency to confirm the information.
• Plan ahead: If you’re getting a facial for a special occasion — such as a friend’s wedding or a big date — don’t schedule your facial the day of the engagement. Many treatments can initially leave your face slightly red or irritated. Plan on giving your face a few days to heal before the big day.
• Consider your skin condition: If you have any specific concerns such as acne or aging skin, discuss these with the spa professional prior to your appointment. That way, he or she can select the best type of facial and products for your skin.
• Do a patch test: If you have sensitive skin that reacts easily, ask the specialist to perform a patch test before the facial. Or, ask for samples of the products the specialist will be using on your skin, and do a patch test on your own. Make sure to tell the specialist what skincare products you’re currently using, what medication you’re taking and if you have any allergies or medical conditions.

What to expect

While there’s a wide array of facials, most have similar steps and aim to rejuvenate the skin for a younger, fresher, healthier complexion. These are the basic steps you can expect:

• Skin analysis: The esthetician closely inspects and evaluates your skin using a brightly lit magnifying lamp. He or she will probably ask about your skin care routine.
• Steam: The specialist uses facial steam to help the skin absorb the products and soften blackheads and whiteheads, making them easier to remove. What skin care products are chosen depend on your particular concern.
• Massage: Facial massage is used to boost circulation and promote relaxation.
• Mask: A facial mask targets your specific skin concern, helping to tone and smooth the skin. Following the mask, the skin specialist typically applies moisturizer (and maybe an eye cream).
• Advice: Most facials end with some professional advice. Your esthetician will offer tips on how to properly care for your skin at home and may recommend products that’ll benefit your skin. Don’t be shy — this is a great time to ask questions!

Classic facials

These are the basic, tried-and-true facials that offer deep cleansing benefits for almost everyone. Easy on the wallet and not very time-consuming, they’re a great place to start if you’ve never had a facial.

• Basic cleanup

  • Ideal candidate: Young skin and all skin types.
  • What to expect: Cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. Warm steam clears up blackheads and whiteheads and is followed with gentle exfoliation to remove dirt and debris. A quick facial massage increases circulation. The result is clean and glowing skin.

• Normal (or “traditional”) facial

  • Ideal candidate: Normal or combination skin that doesn’t have specific concerns like acne or wrinkles.

  • What to expect: Similar to a basic cleanup, with the addition of a longer and more intense massage.

• Mini-facial

  • Ideal candidate: Anyone who’s short on time or prefers a quicker treatment.

  • What to expect: A half-hour treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, tones and treats the skin (using a mask) along with a quickie pressure point massage.

• Hydrating facial

  • Ideal candidate: Anyone with dry skin.

  • What to expect: Like a traditional facial, but with products that are designed to increase moisture.

Teens and adults with acne

Whether you’re a teen or adult who’s battling blemishes, specialized facials can become a helpful addition to your acne-fighting arsenal.

Acne facials

• Ideal candidate: Individuals with moderate or severe acne.

• What to expect: The skin specialist cleanses the skin and gently exfoliates it using an enzyme or glycolic acid product. After using a warm vapor steam to open up the pores, he or she removes blackheads and whiteheads. Then, the specialist applies an antibacterial mask to tone the skin and tighten pores. This facial can be performed every two to three weeks until acne clears.

Using effective products at home also is important. Between facials, keep your face clear with Murad Acne Complex Kit, which contains four acne-fighting essentials in one kit.

• Enzyme peels

  • Ideal candidate: Individuals with acne scars and/or uneven skin tone.
  • What to expect: During this 30-minute facial, the specialist applies a gel to the skin. The gel is then peeled off to remove dead skin and scar tissue. Some peels contain vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

    For an at-home option, try Cellex-C Speed Peel Facial Gel or Kinerase Instant Radiance Facial Peel.

• Galvanic facials

  • Ideal candidate: Individuals with stubborn acne, oily skin or problem complexions that have a hard time absorbing products.
  • What to expect: The specialist employs a galvanic current to deliver positive and negative ions into your skin, helping skin care products better penetrate the skin.

Anti-aging facials

Anti-aging facials aren’t only recommended for aging skin, but also for people in their late 20s to help prevent signs of premature aging. These treatments aim to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. Because people with different skin types are concerned about the effects of aging, anti-aging facials aren’t one size fits all. Discuss your skin type with a specialist to address other concerns in addition to aging, such as acne during menopause, oily skin, product sensitivity, dehydrated skin or dullness.

• Facials with natural extracts

  • Ideal candidate: Skin that’s sensitive to traditional products.

  • What to expect: Improve skin texture, tighten pores and smooth the complexion. Facials derived from fruits and flowers (extracts like rose, lavender or jasmine) also relax and calm the mind. Some facials are even made from fresh fruit pulp, chosen specifically for your skin type. Those with oily skin can benefit from an orange pulp facial, while banana helps dry skin.

• Bio-lift facial

  • Ideal candidate: Anyone with dark circles, sagging or mature skin over the age of 40.
  • What to expect: A cleansing massage is used to stretch and pull the skin taut, followed by a mask to tone sagging skin.

• Multivitamin facial

  • Ideal candidate: Individuals concerned about lines and wrinkles.

  • What to expect: Facials may include vitamin C to brighten and smooth, vitamin E for healing and vitamin A to reduce wrinkles, along with various essential oils. This is a good all-around facial to refresh and treat aging skin.

    For a dose of vitamin C at home, pick up a kit like Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit, which includes everything you need to replenish and brighten your skin. The MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel contains vitamins A, C and E.

Additional facials

• For relaxation: If you’re highly stressed, over-worked or just want to unwind, consider an aromatherapy facial, which focuses on relaxation rather than deep cleansing. This treatment usually involves a soothing facial massage and mask using essential oils specifically chosen to address your particular concern, such as tension, insomnia, depression or stress.
• For men: Many spas are starting to offer male-specific facials. In comparison to women’s facials, male facials are usually less time-consuming and take into account a man’s oilier skin and larger pores. A deep tissue massage is a nice complement to these facials to ease muscle aches and strains.
• For brides: Because a facial can potentially cause redness and irritation, a bride-to-be shouldn’t schedule a facial too close to the big day. Many spas offer bridal beauty options, such as a paraffin facial, to gently give a radiant glow to the skin. During a paraffin facial, the specialist applies rejuvenating creams to the skin, followed by the paraffin mask, which is applied over layers of gauze to seal in the cream and help it absorb into the skin.
• For outdoor workers and enthusiasts: People who spend a great deal of time outside are particularly prone to environmental damage and should take advantage of antioxidant and pollution-fighting facials. These facials contain products with vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E to fight free radicals, remove pollutants, cleanse the skin and protect from future damage.

Pricier options

• Luxury facial: An ideal gift for birthdays, Mother’s Day and other holidays and special occasions. Lasting longer than the traditional facial, a luxury facial can include a neck or back massage, hot stones and more than one specialist. They also might feature elements from various facials and include specialized products for aromatherapy, anti-aging and more. While it can be costly, a luxury facial rejuvenates both the skin and mind.
• Oxygen facial: Is typically used by celebrities to smooth imperfections before appearing on high-definition television. The technique uses a machine to deliver blasts of high-pressure oxygen to the skin, allowing moisturizers and nutrients to better penetrate into the skin. The result is immediate rejuvenation, though many are skeptical. Dermatologist Christopher B. Zachary, M.D., tells The New York Times, “The concept that high-pressure oxygen would do anything to help the skin is such nonsense as to be laughable.” While there’s a noticeable plumping of the skin, Dr. Zachary explains that this is actually mild inflammation due to icy cold oxygen being blasted onto the skin.

  Despite skepticism, over 20,000 oxygen facials were performed in the U.S. in 2006, and supporters believe that the oxygen creates a bubble on the skin that helps force nutrients into the skin, creating a smoother, dewier surface that lasts for several days following treatment. Anthony McMahon, chief executive of Intraceuticals, the Australian company that produces the oxygen compressor and treatment products, tells The New York Times, “We haven’t run any medical-style clinical trials, because we are not making any biological claims. The instant results speak for themselves.”

See also:

Skincare at the Office

Natural Options for Healthy Hair Growth

Comparing Professional and At-Home Treatments

Frugal Facials: Money-Saving Tips